Oral Piercings and Teeth

At Kidz Connextion, we understand that our teenage patients may have a little rebellion in them. Perhaps they’ve been toying with the idea of getting an oral piercing. We encourage patients to express their individuality to its fullest potential, especially when it comes to their smile, but we can’t help but warn them of the dental drawbacks that oral piercings may cause.

When deciding to pierce the tongue, lips, or cheeks, it can hinder your ability to chew, speak, and swallow. The mouth contains millions of bacteria, and often, infection and swelling occur with mouth piercings. If the body rejects a piercing, or if aftercare instructions aren’t obeyed, infection, pain, and swelling can quickly become life threatening if not properly attended to. Additionally, these piercings may cause damage to teeth because playing with a piercing can crack a tooth if you are not careful. If you choose to go through with an oral piercing, keep the piercing site as clean as possible. Contact us immediately if you experience any sign of infection.

If you have questions or concerns about oral piercings and dental health, please give us a call. To learn more about our pediatric services here at the office visit www.kidzconnextion.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in Phoenix AZ, call 623-223-1001.

Causes of Sensitive Teeth

As is the case with adults, there are many reasons why children suffer tooth sensitivity. At Kidz Connextion, we strive to help our patients get to the bottom of whatever is bothering them. Usually, the problem is a cavity, but there are some other reasons why a child might particularly be bothered by hot or cold.

People of all ages are advised to use soft-bristled toothbrushes. Brushing too hard or with too hard a brush can actually harm the gums, causing them to recede and the sensitive tooth roots to be exposed. It is also possible for fillings from previous cavities to come loose, which is painful and leaves teeth vulnerable to discomfort from cold. Teeth should also be examined in case they have developed cracks, as often happens in children with autism or ADHD who develop habits of grinding their teeth, in addition to being hypersensitive.

However, sensitivity does not always mean there is a major dental problem. It is normal for teeth that are newly erupted to take some time to get used to different sensations. Baby teeth also tend to be sensitive when they’re about to fall out naturally. Tooth sensitivity could also result from a sinus infection or allergy.

Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix. To find out more, visit our website at KidzConnextion.com.

 

Lip Sucking

Lip sucking and biting are some common childhood habits which can negatively affect the teeth as well as the soft tissue. For the purpose of this blog post, we’ll just focus on lip sucking as a habit instead of the biting some children do while numb, but we can advise parents about either problem.

As is the case with tongue thrusting and thumb sucking, sucking on the bottom lip can cause children to develop an overbite. However, it can also be done in response to discomfort from an existing overbite or as a habit that developed following prolonged stress. Lip sucking also tends to cause the lip to become chapped and swollen. If done for a long time, it can cause nerve damage and push the lower incisors backward.

Children who habitually suck their lips can usually be observed doing so, but it’s still worth-while to eliminate other reasons for their lips to be swollen, such as allergies. Usually, drawing the child’s attention to the habit and encouragement to break it is all that is needed, but sometimes a speech specialist needs to be consulted. An orthodontic device called a lip bumper can be used when the front teeth need more room to move back into position.

Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix. To find out more, visit our website at KidzConnextion.com.

 

Mouth Sores

Mouth sores and ulcers are a common source of irritation, but they usually clear up on their own. However, parents may still want their kids to get checked out by a dentist to determine the exact nature of the infection and to learn how to provide pain relief in a safe manner.

Mouth ulcers are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which is extremely common (90% of people have it). Children may get it through kissing or by sharing utensils, cups, or toys other people have had in their mouths. Nobody knows what causes cankers, but they are not contagious. However, recurring cankers may give cause to investigate if the child is suffering from allergies or a nutritional problem.

In any case, as long as the ulcer lasts, the child should brush their teeth gently and avoid food that is acidic (including tomato sauce), spicy, or salty. Many children prefer cool, easy to swallow foods, such as yogurt, when they are experiencing mouth pain. Our dentists can prescribe topical medicines if over-the-counter pain relievers aren’t doing the trick and instruct parents on how to use cotton swabs to apply them. Non-alcoholic mouthwashes can also help keep a child’s mouth clean without further irritating the sore.

Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix. To find out more, visit our website at KidzConnextion.com.

 

Bad Breath

When children have bad breath, it’s usually because their oral hygiene needs more attention. However, there are some other possible reasons parents should be aware of, most of which we can help determine and treat at Kidz Connextion.

Maintaining good oral hygiene includes brushing the tongue. It’s easy for bacteria to accumulate on it and contribute to bad breath. But another important component of oral hygiene is saliva production. Saliva washes away bacteria and food particles, and when it’s disrupted or the child’s mouth dries out, bacteria will be able to spread much more easily. Mouth breathing and not staying hydrated during exercise obviously cause dry mouth, but so do some medications, including ones used for anxiety and ADHD. There are also medications that cause bad breath directly.

If a cavity has developed, the smell of decay could cause bad breath, but that’s true of any kind of infection. Mouth sores and sinus infections are other potential culprits. Tonsils, too, are frequently traps for decaying material and can become inflamed. Young children also sometimes push things up their noses, which can cause nasal drip and create a bad smell.

Kidz Connextion Dental Care maintains offices around Phoenix. To find out more, visit our website at KidzConnextion.com.

 

Sippy Cups and Teeth

Sippy cups, also known as training cups, are necessary for toddlers and young children. What parents may not realize, is that there is a way to misuse them. At Kidz Connextion, our doctors strive to maintain your child’s smile regardless of age, and the primary goal is to protect them from tooth decay. It’s important to know that when purchasing a “no-spill” cup for your child, that you put the right beverages inside it to protect their pearly whites.

While parents may desire to keep this training cup with their child for a long period of time, it’s ideal for young children to use them when transitioning from a baby bottle to a regular cup. During this time period, be sure to limit sugary beverages to your child, as these sweet drinks can increase the risk of tooth decay. If it’s hard to break the sippy cup habit, be sure to fill it with water in between mealtimes. If your child fights you on this, it doesn’t hurt to add a little water to their lemonade or other sweet drink to dilute the sugars. Doing so gives them a better chance of transitioning to a regular cup with a healthy smile.  

If you have questions or concerns about pediatric dentistry, please give us a call. To learn more about our pediatric services here at the office visit www.kidzconnextion.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in Phoenix AZ, call 623-223-1001.

Pediatric Dental Anxiety

Parents, if your child is eager to visit our Kidz Connextion office for their dental checkup, consider yourself lucky. Dental anxiety is common in pediatric patients because they either don’t know what to expect or know what to expect and this instills fear in their heads. Fortunately, our doctors are trained to make our pediatric patients feel as calm as possible in the dental chair, and we’d like to offer tips to help you do the same.  

The primary technique that parents can use to help their child remain calm is to practice positive reinforcement. Most children don’t know how to sit or behave in the dental chair, so let them know how well they are doing during the length of treatment. A simple “good job” goes a long way and can help your child understand that things are going to be okay. Of course, there are always technological distractions to help your child sit still. However, there is always the chance that things could get a little out of control, so if you’d like to discuss sedation dentistry for your child, we are eager to answer all of your questions.

If you have questions or concerns about pediatric dental anxiety, please give us a call. To learn more about our pediatric services here at the office visit www.kidzconnextion.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in Phoenix AZ, call 623-223-1001.